History Happens Here | A Magazine from the Missouri History Museum

18, January 2012

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Civil War Love Letters: January 19, 1862

Disclaimer

There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

According to the Supplement to the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, at this time the designation of James’s regiment changed as troops were organized and reorganized in Kansas. On December 31, 1861, James became first lieutenant of the company of men that he recruited. This company became part of the 9th Kansas, or 1st New Mexico, Infantry Regiment. At the time of this letter, the company had reorganized again, to the 2nd Kansas Cavalry Regiment.

Camp Hunter
Jany 19th, 1862

My Dear Molly Read more »

17, January 2012

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The Art of Kirkwood Roots

As an expression of regional history, Kirkwood Roots is different. Through February 26, 2012, the Missouri History Museum presents this installation of images, objects, and interviews exploring the history and culture of the African American community in Kirkwood, Missouri. The strong social ties and values of these people, exhibited here as they were from a period prior to the Civil War until shortly after World War II, were formed in a largely rural environment, among fields, woods, and streams. A priority for the Kirkwood Roots project was to represent this community’s way of life in an evocative manner worthy of the value and relevance that it holds for us all. Read more »

13, January 2012

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In Search of Spanx

Recently, a researcher requested an appointment to look at some clothing items that had belonged to one of his distant relatives but were since donated to the Museum’s collections. As we all oohed and aahed over a pair of beautiful late-19th-century silk and lace drawers, the researcher commented...

Photo at left: Satin corset, ca. 1895. Missouri History Museum. Read more »

13, January 2012

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Civil War Love Letters: January 15, 1862

Disclaimer

There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

At the beginning of 1862, the future of James Love’s unattached company remained uncertain. He and the other soldiers traveled to camp near Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and waited to hear if they would join a Kansas regiment or go to New Mexico.

Camp Hunter
Fort Leavenworth
Jany 15th 1862

My Dear Molly Read more »

11, January 2012

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Behind the Scenes of Mammoths and Mastodons

As an exhibit designer and project manager at the Missouri History Museum, I have the opportunity to do a lot of cool things in my job. November 18, 2011, was an especially memorable day at the Missouri History Museum, as we welcomed two new members to the staff—a Columbian mammoth and a short-faced bear. Both of them now grace our entrance area and Grand Hall, welcoming visitors to MHM, creating excitement about our newest exhibition—Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age—and helping us to learn more about these magnificent creatures. Read more »

5, January 2012

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They Never Came Home: A Story of Three Brothers Who Fought in the Civil War

Joe Johnston is a guest contributor who will be writing articles related to the Civil War. This is his first article in the series on History Happens Here.
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3, January 2012

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Civil War Love Letters: January 3, 1862

Disclaimer

There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

In this letter, James addresses Molly by her given name, Eliza. He also mentions, for the first time, that his engagement with Molly is a secret, which greatly troubles him. He desperately wants to tell Molly’s family, including her mother, brothers, William and Alex, and sister, Sallie, about the engagement. James worries that Molly was not happy that he was in the grocery business, which he left when he enlisted to fight in the war. Read more »

30, December 2011

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Growing Kirkwood Roots

From over two years of research and preparation, a small but important exhibit was developed at the Missouri History Museum. Kirkwood Roots is an artful installation of interviews, photos, and evocative objects exploring the historic African American community in Kirkwood, Missouri, a small municipality located about 14 miles west of downtown St. Louis. It’s an intimate portrait of this place, from the first settlement before the Civil War to the period of intensive suburban development following World War II. Read more »

20, December 2011

Civil War Love Letters: December 25, 1861

Disclaimer

There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

If Miss Wilson would kindly accept the accompanying accept the accompanying trash - part of which came all the way from Paris, She would relieve my mind of a great relieve my mind of a great embarrassment, - "What to do with it,” & confer a favor on Read more »

19, December 2011

A Thought-Provoking Find

One of the things I appreciate most about being an employee at the Missouri History Museum is the enjoyment I get from working with history buffs like myself. As museum professionals we take any opportunity to share our own enthusiasm for historical artifacts with our co-workers. Read more »